Vacancies depend on circumstances: Bole
May 16, 2008, 16:03

The Education Ministry has always maintained that new appointments can only be made when vacancies arise through wastages like retirements, deaths and resignations. The Ministry, like any other organization, can only work within its budget, and will only absorb new teachers, on a “one-out-one-in” basis.

In a statement released today, Mister for Education Filipe Bole said it must also be known that vacancies do not all arise at the beginning or end of each year. As the year progresses, teachers resign. Retirements also occur on the date one turns 60. Death, of course, cannot be predicted. As teachers resign, retire or in the event of one passing away, then a new graduate can fill the vacancy.

With regards to situations, where teachers are required to take on multi-class teaching, it must be known that multi-grade teaching is a universal concept and practice. While at training college, teachers are taught the skills of teaching such classes. Hence, when a member of the staff takes leave, other available teachers are well-qualified to teach composite or multi-grade classes.

Furthermore, heads of schools are well aware of procedures, in instances where leave is taken by certain members of the staff. Teachers work as a unit and most schools have developed excellent team spirit and support, so that when colleagues are absent, the remaining staff members have always worked diligently to ensure that the education of children is never compromised.

Mr Bole said the Ministry wishes to sincerely thank teachers, especially those who might have a somewhat heavy teaching load.



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(No.0734)